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Quick Ground Beef and Broccoli Skillet in 20 Minutes

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A quick and easy ground beef and broccoli skillet that comes together in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan meal features crispy ground beef, tender-crisp broccoli, and a savory-sweet sauce that tastes like takeout without the delivery fee.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
  • 3 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head or 8 oz/225g pre-cut)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (25g) packed brown sugar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon (8g) cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) cold water
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) vegetable oil (canola or avocado)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2–3 green onions, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the sauce first: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set aside. In another tiny bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth to make a slurry.
  2. Prep the broccoli: Wash and cut broccoli into small, uniform florets. If stalks are thick, peel and slice them thin.
  3. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil. Add ground beef and let it sit undisturbed for 2 minutes to sear. Then break it up and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through (about 5-6 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Cook the broccoli: Push beef to one side of the skillet. Add broccoli florets to the empty space and let them sit for 1 minute without stirring to get a char. Then toss everything together and cook for another 2 minutes until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
  5. Add the sauce: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and broccoli. Stir well and let it bubble for 1 minute. Stir the cornstarch slurry again, then pour it into the skillet. Stir constantly for 30-60 seconds until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
  6. Finish and serve: Remove from heat. Drizzle with toasted sesame oil and toss gently. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

For best texture, use fresh broccoli with tight, dark green florets. If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat dry first. Don’t crowd the pan; work in batches if needed. Have all ingredients prepped before starting to cook. For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. For a low-carb version, swap brown sugar for monk fruit sweetener and serve over cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef and broccoli, quick skillet dinner, weeknight dinner, 20 minute meal, one pan meal, beef and broccoli stir fry

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/quick-ground-beef-and-broccoli-skillet-in-20-minutes/